The ruler holds no terror for the right but for the wrong: (13:3-5):
Paul was talking about the ideal government, or a government set up by God. When the civil authorities are upright, the good people need not fear. Only those who do evil things need to fear. His idea is that Christians should be the best citizens of all. Christians are good citizens because they are honest, they give no trouble to the state, they pay their taxes, and most importantly pray for the state and the rulers. So any law-abiding citizen need not fear the government. It is astonishing that Paul who wrote to the Christians to remain faithful to the government, the same government under the tyrant ruler Emperor Nero executed him. But Paul calls him the minister of God. We must understand that although kings are serving Satan at times, God appoints them to fulfil His design through their roles. God’s designs are perfect. But if a Christian does wrong, the rulers have no fear of the sword and they would punish the Christians. Civil rulers serve God by bearing the sword. God authorized even imperfect governments to administer the death penalty to punish and deter crime.
God has the authority to punish evil, and He delegates that authority to civil rulers. Personal vengeance is wrong, but civil rulers have the God-assigned responsibility to punish evil. The state has the legitimate authority to execute criminals. When we report crime to the police, we are seeking the justice that God has designed. Since God wants civil justice, it is permissible for a Christian to serve on the police force, or as a judge, or on a jury, doing what God has declared good, punishing crime not for our own vengeance, but acting on behalf of the civil government that God has authorized. Therefore as a law abiding people it is necessary and imperative to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. We should obey civil laws not only because the civil government might punish us if we don’t, but also because God wants us to be law-abiding people. Peter also says: “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by Him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right” (1 Pet.2:13-14) (thought taken from “grace communication international” commentary).
Pay taxes promptly: (13:6-7):
A Christian must discharge his responsibility consciously more than just obedience. This includes paying taxes, give full co-operation to government. Whatever we owe to government as a citizen, we must give in time whether it is a tax or revenue or respect or honour etc. . Even Jesus said regarding taxes: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s” (Matt.22:21). If the government interferes with our conscious, goes against our conviction, we must obey God rather than man made government. If the law is right, we must obey it to maintain a good conscience.
Emperor Nero had changed the tax system in A.D. 58 due to the greed of the tax collectors. There was an outcry and rebellion against the tax collectors and it was quite possible that many Christians would have joined the rebellious group. So Paul wrote to such Christians that it was the duty of every Christian to pay taxes and revenue promptly. Associating with tax revolting group would jeopardise the spread of the Gospel. A Christian cannot rebel against the rules and regulations of the country unless it intervenes our faith. The Lord Jesus had undergone trials with the evil society.
Believer’s debt to one another: (13:8-10):
The apostle speaking in the same lines of debtor outstanding loan among themselves. The church had both rich and poor members. It appears that many have taken loans from others and they were not in a position to repay the debts. Paul encourages the rich ones to cancel the outstanding debts. Even the Jewish law promotes the cancellation of all debts, loans, bondage etc at every Jubilee i.e. the fiftieth year (Lev.25:8ff). All debts must be cleared except the continuing debt to love one another. Yes this is an obligation to every Christian to express divine love in all interpersonal relationships. Our love must be genuine and this would allow us to forgive and give up any outstanding debts with the fellow believers.
Apostle Paul reiterates the fifth, sixth, seventh and tenth commandments (Lev.20:13-15,17). All these commandments only summarise our love for neighbours and others. Just as we try to have all good things for our own life, we must see our neighbours, our fellow Christians to have at least their basic necessities. The Lord Jesus said, all the 10-commandments boils down to only two. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these” (Mk.12:30-31). For anyone who loves his fellowman and provide all his basic necessities, has fulfilled the law. Love does not keep on working evil, but provides good for the benefit of others. Only in Christ, can a person meet this or any of the other requirement of the Law. If the Love of God does not compel or constrain us, we would do nothing.
Ex: The missionaries who came to India, leaving all their comforts, ambitions, joys and pleasures, lived a primitive life but sacrificed their entire life by starting educational institutions, hospitals, TB homes, leprosy homes, destitute homes, orphanages etc. to the underprivileged society of India without losing their focus on Evangelism.